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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

She Speaks…From a Whisper to a Scream

Hello friends! Today I am linking to Lysa TerKeurst’s blog, my favorite inspirational writer and speaker. You’ve heard me mention Lysa before and can find her link as well as the link to Proverbs 31 Ministries (she is President) listed in my Blogs We Love list. Check them out! My sister and I recently had the opportunity to meet Lysa and her amazing Assistant Holly at an event. Can I say I was so excited that I had to completely restrain myself from giving her the biggest long-lost sister bear hug?! If you haven’t read Lysa’s books Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl or Made to Crave you simply must. She is incredibly funny, witty and relatable…a true treasure to those of us who look to her for inspiration.

I am linking to her site to tell you about a wonderful event coming up this July called She Speaks. This conference is for speakers, writers and women’s ministry leaders who will meet for three days. The primary objective of the conference is to give women the tools and confidence to connect other women with God’s love in the most amazing of ways -through the power of voice. If you are interested in more information check out her post at http://lysaterkeurst.com/2011/03/she-speaks-scholarship-contest-2011/.

Can you imagine the sort of wonderful, life-changing things that happen when women of faith come together for a few days? I can. And I so want to be there! I have an incredibly supportive, loving husband and decided to approach him about my going to the conference. He was on board. Totally. Until I told him about the $595 cost. At that point he looked at me as if I had asked him to build an igloo in the midst of our southern US backyard…hmmm. I hesitated a moment and said, “Now honey, I must have really botched up presenting the true value of this conference so let me try again….” To which he replied, “Are you daft????”American translation: Are you completely out-of-your mind crazzyyyy???

And I understand his response. With a second baby on the way and all that comes with purchasing another crib, double stroller and other baby necessities… plus the very real possibility that we may have a boy and he just might not dig the pinkalicious wardrobe of his older sister, we also have an air conditioner that chug-a-lugged us into fall. Barely. And two older cars that must absolutely be replaced in the next month or two as they have become less than reliable…all this adds up to the conference fee not being in the cards this year. Are we destitute or worried? Not at all and I would hate to paint such a picture. We are comfortable. And happy. Very. But being fond graduates of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University we are paying for purchases big and small in cash. We are Living Like No One Else so we can Live Like No One Else in the future....I promise to share more of this incredible journey in an upcoming blog.

But wait! The ever so exciting scoop on Lysa’s blog today is that she and her team have a scholarship to give away for the event! They will be reviewing linked in submissions over this weekend and making a decision by Monday so I am giving this my full attention and could use some prayers my friends! If you’ve been following my blog you know I have a true passion for writing and have been trying to take this little world of mine to the next level since the beginning of the year. For months now my dream of using this blog to have more of an impact has become increasingly persistent. It started as a question, “Could I use this blog as a ministry?” And over time I’ve felt those whispers get a little stronger with each day, each post. My heart is asking God to use me. Right here. Right now. I can see that it is on my most imperfect goofed up, messy mommy days that I feel most connected to all of you. And I would love to use my writing to challenge and inspire women with hearts just like mine. I believe I have a voice that can, with guidance, be compelling.

And I think I have a story to share. A story that includes being a twin sister, an exchange student and English teacher in a foreign country, of traveling the world as a risk and financial consultant then marrying an Irish lad at the ripe age of 35. A story of how being a Compassion International Advocate and sponsor to a precious girl in Rwanda has changed me forever. A tale of the crushing loss of infertility and miscarriages followed by the hope and joy that came from becoming a parent via God’s plan to grow our family, of making the transition to stay at home mom and finding all the joy in the world that comes with it, and the craziness that comes from becoming a mom in my late 30’s and again at 41.

In true southern girl fashion I want everyone to win. It reminds me of my 4th grade slumber party with Melissa where we had a talent show and forced my poor mom to stay up judging through the wee hours of the night until all twenty girls had the opportunity to take home first place! When I read others submissions my first thoughts were how much more deserving they are than I am. But a girl can dream. And if by God’s grace I do get to go? I’ll be off and running - and I so promise to scream!!

I've entered the scholarship contest too -- and from one writer to another, I thoroughly enjoyed your blog submission! You're a hoot! If one of us wins and the other doesn't but gets to go anyway, I want to meet you girl. :o)

I do hope you win Michelle. You are always so upbeat and passionate about what you have to say and to get the chance to spread the word of The Lord would be an even greater accomplishment for you. Best of luck and go get'em!!

Michelle I do hope you win! I love your blog it's great for everyone across the globe to catch up with your family! Even when your having an off day you are truly funny and inspiring! Wether you have kids or not I always seem to learn something from each of your posts, and can't wait for the next one!!! Good luck and may God be with you!

Oh Michelle! You as a person are so inspriring and so your blog is just another way for you to share your inherent joy with the rest of the world! I really enjoy getting to read your take on the daily happenings with a toddler, and you always make me laugh. Even better you make me want to be a better mom, and get me to write in my childrens mommy journal book so much more!

I love your blog Michelle - love to read it all the time and keep up on the travels of Teagan and all of the Kelly family and friends. You have such a great way of capturing your experiences. I look forward to reading more as your family continues to grow! Thanks for the enjoyment Michelle!